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When a dehumidifier stops working, homeowners may notice an uptick in respiratory problems, increased physical discomfort because of high humidity, and structural problems in the home such as wood damage. Taking the time to troubleshoot a problematic dehumidifier could solve these problems.

Drainage and Settings

The dehumidifier may stop dehumidifying if its reservoir is full. Manually empty the reservoir and reset the machine. A blocked drainage hose also may stop the unit from properly working. Clean the hose with a 10 percent bleach solution and fix any kinks that may have caused a blockage. If the dehumidifier's setting is too high, it won't cycle frequently enough to rid the excess moisture from the air.

Weather or Environmental Conditions

A water leak within the home may make it seem like the dehumidifier isn't working because there is a continuous supply of moisture in the air despite the frequent cycling of the dehumidifier. Fixing the leak resolves the indoor humidity issue. High outdoor humidity often results in high indoor humidity, even if the unit is operating normally.

About the Author

Jessica Lietz has been writing about health-related topics since 2009. She has several years of experience in genetics research, survey design, analysis and epidemiology, working on both infectious and chronic diseases. Lietz holds a Master of Public Health in epidemiology from The Ohio State University.